25 Recipes Worth Learning

Learning to cook is a journey, a delicious adventure filled with burnt offerings and culinary triumphs.  But mastering a few fundamental recipes can unlock a world of culinary creativity. These 25 recipes are your passport to becoming a more confident and capable cook.  They’re the building blocks, the essential skills, that will elevate your cooking game from “surviving” to “thriving.”

So ditch the takeout menus and grab your aprons!  Let’s embark on this delicious adventure together. Prepare to be amazed at how much you can accomplish with just a few key techniques.

Basic Stock Making Recipe

The foundation of countless soups and sauces! Learn to make a flavorful stock from vegetable scraps, bones, or a combination.

Classic French Omelet Recipe

This elegant dish is simpler than it looks.  Master the technique and impress your friends with this breakfast (or any meal!) staple.

Perfect Roast Chicken Recipe

A Sunday supper classic, juicy and flavorful roast chicken is a must-know for any home cook.  We’ll share the secrets to crispy skin and tender meat.

Basic Bread Making Recipe

The smell of freshly baked bread is heavenly! Learn the basics of yeast bread making and you’ll never buy store-bought loaves again.

Essential Tomato Sauce Recipe

From simple marinara to complex ragù, this recipe teaches you how to create a delicious and versatile tomato sauce from scratch.

Classic Pie Crust Recipe

Flaky, buttery, and oh-so-delicious.  This recipe unlocks the secrets to the perfect pie crust, whether sweet or savory.

Basic Bechamel Sauce Recipe

One of the five mother sauces of French cuisine, bechamel is the base for countless creamy delights.  Master this and your culinary world expands!

Perfect Rice Pilaf Recipe

Fluffy, flavorful, and versatile, a perfect rice pilaf is the perfect side dish for almost any meal.

Classic Vinaigrette Recipe

The simplest of dressings, yet so versatile.  Learn to make a balanced vinaigrette that elevates any salad.

Basic Meat Broth Recipe

Rich and savory, meat broth is the perfect base for soups, stews, and sauces.  Learn how to make it from scratch for unparalleled flavor.

Essential Pasta Dough Recipe

Homemade pasta is easier than you think!  This recipe will teach you how to make fresh pasta dough for incredible pasta dishes.

Classic Roux Recipe

The foundation of many delicious sauces, learn the art of making a roux to thicken and flavor your creations.

Perfect Poached Eggs Recipe

Perfectly poached eggs are a culinary masterpiece. Learn the technique and elevate your breakfast game.

Basic Yeasted Dough Recipe

Beyond bread, yeasted dough is the key to so many delicious treats!  Pizza, pretzels, and more await!

Essential Chicken Stock Recipe

The backbone of many flavorful dishes, chicken stock is a must-have in every cook’s repertoire.

Classic Mirepoix Recipe

The aromatic base for countless soups and stews, learn to make this classic vegetable mix for incredible depth of flavor.

Basic Pan Sauce Recipe

Turn pan drippings into a delicious sauce!  This technique elevates simple meals into culinary masterpieces.

Perfect Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Creamy, buttery, and comforting, the perfect mashed potatoes are a must-have side dish.

Classic Court Bouillon Recipe

This flavorful poaching liquid is essential for delicately cooking fish and other delicate proteins.

Basic Pastry Cream Recipe

The perfect base for creamy desserts, this recipe is a must-know for pastry enthusiasts.

Essential Fish Stock Recipe

Delicate and flavorful, fish stock is the secret ingredient to many seafood dishes.

Classic Compound Butter Recipe

Elevate your dishes with flavorful compound butter!  Learn how to create delicious and easy butter blends.

Basic Pasta Sauce Recipe

A simple yet versatile pasta sauce that you can customize to your liking.  Learn the fundamentals and create your own variations!

Perfect Caramel Recipe

Sweet, rich, and versatile, learn to make perfect caramel for desserts and more.

Essential Vegetable Stock Recipe

A flavorful and healthy base for soups and sauces, vegetable stock is a pantry staple for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.